LXX Concordance for σε

“You will eat bread[fn] by the sweat of your brow

until you return to the ground,

since you were taken from it.

For you are dust,

and you will return to dust.”

I will make you into a great nation,

I will bless you,

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

“When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.' They will kill me but let you live.

Now the word of the LORD came to him: “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body[fn] will be your heir.”

He also said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”

“I will set up my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.”

“Your name will no longer be Abram;[fn] your name will be Abraham,[fn] for I will make you the father of many nations.

“Hurry up! Run to it, for I cannot do anything until you get there.” Therefore the name of the city is Zoar.[fn]

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience.[fn] I have also kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I have not let you touch her.

“I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their[fn] enemies.

“and I will have you swear by the LORD, God of heaven and God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,

“stay in this land as an alien, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.

and the LORD appeared to him that night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of my servant Abraham.”

“You will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only what was good to you, sending you away in peace. You are now blessed by the LORD.”

“Then make me a delicious meal that I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I can bless you before I die.”

“‘Bring me game and make a delicious meal for me to eat so that I can bless you in the LORD's presence before I die.'

“Then take it to your father to eat so that he may bless you before he dies.”

Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau or not? ”

Then he said, “Bring it closer to me, and let me eat some of my son's game so that I can bless you.” Jacob brought it closer to him, and he ate; he brought him wine, and he drank.

May peoples serve you

and nations bow in homage to you.

Be master over your relatives;

may your mother's sons bow in homage to you.

Those who curse you will be cursed,

and those who bless you will be blessed.

Isaac began to tremble uncontrollably. “Who was it then,” he said, “who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it all before you came in, and I blessed him. Indeed, he will be blessed! ”

When the words of her older son Esau were reported to Rebekah, she summoned her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Listen, your brother Esau is consoling himself by planning to kill you.

“until your brother's rage turns away from you and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send for you and bring you back from there. Why should I lose you both in one day? ”

“May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you so that you become an assembly of peoples.

“Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God? He has withheld offspring[fn] from you! ”

When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes.” So Jacob slept with her that night.

“For you had very little before I came, but now your wealth has increased. The LORD has blessed you because of me. And now, when will I also do something for my own family? ”

“Why did you secretly flee from me, deceive me, and not tell me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and lyres,

“I could do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Watch yourself! Don't say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'

“If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, certainly now you would have sent me off empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and my hard work,[fn] and he issued his verdict last night.”

Then Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, ‘Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,'

“You have said, ‘I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to be counted.' ”

And he told the first one, “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to? Where are you going? And whose animals are these ahead of you? '

Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

God said to Jacob, “Get up! Go to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I'm sending you to them.”

“I'm ready,” Joseph replied.

“I will send you a young goat from my flock,” he replied.

But she said, “Only if you leave something with me until you send it.”

“In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position. You will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand the way you used to when you were his cupbearer.

“In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head ​— ​from off you ​— ​and hang you on a tree.[fn] Then the birds will eat the flesh from your body.”[fn]

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.”

Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt.”

When he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother that you told me about? ” Then he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”

“There I will sustain you, for there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you, your household, and everything you have will become destitute.” '

God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

“He said to me, ‘I will make you fruitful and numerous; I will make many nations come from you, and I will give this land as a permanent possession to your future descendants.'

So he blessed them that day, putting Ephraim before Manasseh when he said, “The nation Israel will invoke blessings by you, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.' ”

“by the God of your father who helps you,

and by the Almighty who blesses you

with blessings of the heavens above,

blessings of the deep that lies below,

and blessings of the breasts and the womb.

So Pharaoh said, “Go and bury your father in keeping with your oath.”

“Who made you a commander and judge over us? ” the man replied. “Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? ”

Then Moses became afraid and thought, “What I did is certainly known.”

“therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship[fn] God at this mountain.”

“Now go! I will help you speak[fn] and I will teach you what to say.”

Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses, and he said, “Isn't Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, he is on his way now to meet you. He will rejoice when he sees you.

The LORD answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother will be your prophet.

“By now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague, and you would have been obliterated from the earth.

“When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites,[fn] which he swore to your ancestors that he would give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you must carry out this ceremony in this month.

“Let it serve as a sign for you on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead,[fn] so that the LORD's instruction may be in your mouth; for the LORD brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand.

“When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your ancestors, and gives it to you,

“In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean? ' say to him, ‘By the strength of his hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

“So let it be a sign on your hand and a symbol[fn] on your forehead, for the LORD brought us out of Egypt by the strength of his hand.”

He said, “If you will carefully obey the LORD your God, do what is right in his sight, pay attention to his commands, and keep all his statutes, I will not inflict any illnesses on you that I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

“If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied.”[fn]

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

“Make an earthen altar for me, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your flocks and herds. I will come to you and bless you in every place where I cause my name to be remembered.

“I am going to send an angel before you to protect you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.

“For my angel will go before you and bring you to the land of the Amorites, Hethites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out.

“They must not remain in your land, or else they will make you sin against me. If you serve their gods, it will be a snare for you.”

“Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify[fn] the altar when you make atonement for it, and anoint it in order to consecrate it.

He took the gold from them, fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into an image of a calf.

Then they said, “Israel, these are your gods,[fn] who brought you up from the land of Egypt! ”

“They have quickly turned from the way I commanded them; they have made for themselves an image of a calf. They have bowed down to it, sacrificed to it, and said, ‘Israel, these are your gods, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.' ”

“Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go up with you because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.”

Moses said to the LORD, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.'

The LORD answered Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and I know you by name.”

“and when my glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

“Do not make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land, or else when they prostitute themselves with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices.

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap all the way to the edge of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the resident alien; I am the LORD your God.”

“at this point the priest will make the woman take the oath with the sworn curse, and he is to say to her ​— ​‘May the LORD make you into an object of your people's cursing and swearing when he makes your womb[fn] shrivel and your belly swell.

“May the LORD bless you and protect you;

Moses said to Hobab, descendant of Reuel the Midianite and Moses's relative by marriage, “We're setting out for the place the LORD promised, ‘I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.”

“If you come with us, whatever good the LORD does for us we will do for you.”

Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say:

Arise, LORD!

Let your enemies be scattered,

and those who hate you flee from your presence.

The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD's arm weak?[fn] Now you will see whether or not what I have promised will happen to you.”

“He has brought you near, and all your fellow Levites who are with you, but you are pursuing the priesthood as well.

They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Let nothing keep you from coming to me,

God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

Balaam answered the donkey, “You made me look like a fool. If I had a sword in my hand, I'd kill you now! ”

Balak asked Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you? ”

“What have you done to me? ” Balak asked Balaam. “I brought you to curse my enemies, but look, you have only blessed them! ”

Again Balak said to Balaam, “Please come. I will take you to another place. Maybe it will be agreeable to God that you can put a curse on them for me there.”

He crouches, he lies down like a lion

or a lioness ​— ​who dares to rouse him?

Those who bless you will be blessed,

and those who curse you will be cursed.

Kain will be destroyed

when Asshur takes you captive.

“And you saw in the wilderness how the LORD your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place.

“For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this immense wilderness. The LORD your God has been with you these past forty years, and you have lacked nothing.'

“When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, in the future you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.

“You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

“Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

“Follow the whole instruction the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess.

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give you ​— ​a land with large and beautiful cities that you did not build,

“be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

“for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise, the LORD your God will become angry with you and obliterate you from the face of the earth.

“When your son asks you in the future, ‘What is the meaning of the decrees, statutes, and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you? '

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and he drives out many nations before you ​— ​the Hethites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and powerful than you ​— ​

“because they will turn your sons away from me to worship other gods. Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will swiftly destroy you.

“For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be his own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

“He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will bless your offspring,[fn] and the produce of your land ​— ​your grain, new wine, and fresh oil ​— ​the young of your herds, and the newborn of your flocks, in the land he swore to your ancestors that he would give you.

“The LORD will remove all sickness from you; he will not put on you all the terrible diseases of Egypt that you know about, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.

“the great trials that you saw, the signs and wonders, the strong hand and outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you fear.

“Remember that the LORD your God led you on the entire journey these forty years in the wilderness, so that he might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

“Keep in mind that the LORD your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams, springs, and deep water sources, flowing in both valleys and hills;

“be careful that your heart doesn't become proud and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

“Your ancestors went down to Egypt, seventy people in all, and now the LORD your God has made you numerous, like the stars of the sky.

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim the blessing at Mount Gerizim and the curse at Mount Ebal.

“You will eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household in everything you do,[fn] because the LORD your God has blessed you.

“That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he has urged rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the place of slavery, to turn you from the way the LORD your God has commanded you to walk. You must purge the evil from you.

“Stone him to death for trying to turn you away from the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

“If you hear it said about one of your cities the LORD your God is giving you to live in,

“Nothing set apart for destruction is to remain in your hand, so that the LORD will turn from his burning anger and grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as he swore to your ancestors.

“for you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be his own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

“But if the distance is too great for you to carry it, since the place where the LORD your God chooses to put his name is too far away from you and since the LORD your God has blessed you,

“Then the Levite, who has no portion or inheritance among you, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates may come, eat, and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.

“There will be no poor among you, however, because the LORD is certain to bless you in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance ​— ​

“When the LORD your God blesses you as he has promised you, you will lend to many nations but not borrow; you will rule many nations, but they will not rule you.

“Give to him, and don't have a stingy heart[fn] when you give, and because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you do.[fn]

“Give generously to him from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You are to give him whatever the LORD your God has blessed you with.

“Do not regard it as a hardship[fn] when you set him free, because he worked for you six years ​— ​worth twice the wages of a hired worker. Then the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.

“You are to celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the LORD your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the LORD your God has blessed you.

“You are to celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days when you have gathered in everything from your threshing floor and winepress.

“You are to hold a seven-day festival for the LORD your God in the place he chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, and you will have abundant joy.

“When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.

“This is because they did not meet you with food and water on the journey after you came out of Egypt, and because Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim was hired to curse you.

“For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you; so your encampments must be holy. He must not see anything indecent among you or he will turn away from you.

“You may charge a foreigner interest, but you must not charge your brother Israelite interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you do[fn] in the land you are entering to possess.

“Be sure to return it[fn] to him at sunset. Then he will sleep in it and bless you, and this will be counted as righteousness to you before the LORD your God.

“Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.

“When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven. Do not forget.

“And today the LORD has affirmed that you are his own possession as he promised you, that you are to keep all his commands,

“Now if you faithfully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all his commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth.

“You will be blessed when you come in

and blessed when you go out.

“The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he swore to you, if you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways.

“The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you will only move upward and never downward if you listen to the LORD your God's commands I am giving you today and are careful to follow them.

“But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all his commands and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overtake you:

“You will be cursed when you come in

and cursed when you go out.

“The LORD will turn the rain of your land into falling[fn] dust; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed.

“The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt, tumors, a festering rash, and scabies, from which you cannot be cured.

“The LORD will afflict you with painful and incurable boils on your knees and thighs ​— ​from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.

“All these curses will come, pursue, and overtake you until you are destroyed, since you did not obey the LORD your God and keep the commands and statutes he gave you.

“you will serve your enemies that the LORD will send against you, in famine, thirst, nakedness, and a lack of everything. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.

“They will eat the offspring of your livestock and your land's produce until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain, new wine, fresh oil, young of your herds, or newborn of your flocks until they cause you to perish.

“refusing to share with any of them his children's flesh that he will eat because he has nothing left during the siege and hardship your enemy imposes on you in all your towns.

“the afterbirth that comes out from between her legs and the children she bears, because she will secretly eat them for lack of anything else during the siege and hardship your enemy imposes on you within your city gates.

“The LORD will also afflict you with every sickness and plague not recorded in the book of this law, until you are destroyed.

“Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, of wood and stone, which neither you nor your ancestors have known.

“The LORD will take you back in ships to Egypt by a route that I said you would never see again. There you will sell yourselves to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”

“and so that he may establish you today as his people and he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

“When all these things happen to you ​— ​the blessings and curses I have set before you ​— ​and you come to your senses while you are in all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you,

“then he will restore your fortunes,[fn] have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.

“The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you.

“The LORD your God will make you prosper abundantly in all the work of your hands, your offspring,[fn] the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land. Indeed, the LORD will again delight in your prosperity, as he delighted in that of your ancestors,

“For[fn] I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live[fn] and multiply, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

“love the LORD your God, obey him, and remain faithful[fn] to him. For he is your life, and he will prolong your days as you live in the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

“Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For the LORD your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”

“The LORD is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Is this how you repay the LORD,

you foolish and senseless people?

Isn't he your Father and Creator?[fn]

Didn't he make you and sustain you?

You ignored the Rock who gave you birth;

you forgot the God who gave birth to you.

He said about his father and mother,

“I do not regard them.”

He disregarded his brothers

and didn't acknowledge his sons,

for they kept your word

and maintained your covenant.

They summon the peoples to a mountain;

there they offer acceptable sacrifices.

For they draw from the wealth of the seas

and the hidden treasures of the sand.

How happy you are, Israel!

Who is like you,

a people saved by the LORD?

He is the shield that protects you,

the sword you boast in.

Your enemies will cringe before you,

and you will tread on their backs.[fn]

“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you.

The LORD spoke to Joshua: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they will know that I will be with you just as I was with Moses.

“so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you? '

Joshua said, “Why have you brought us trouble? Today the LORD will bring you trouble! ” So all Israel stoned them[fn] to death. They burned their bodies, threw stones on them,

“Now give me this hill country the LORD promised me on that day, because you heard then that the Anakim are there, as well as large fortified cities. Perhaps the LORD will be with me and I will drive them out as the LORD promised.”

“If you have so many people,” Joshua replied to them, “go to the forest and clear an area for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, because Ephraim's hill country is too small for you.”

“but I would not listen to Balaam. Instead, he repeatedly blessed you, and I rescued you from him.

Then he said to her, “Stand at the entrance to the tent. If a man comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here? ' say, ‘No.' ”

LORD, when you came from Seir,

when you marched from the fields of Edom,

the earth trembled,

the skies poured rain,

and the clouds poured water.

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you! ”

“Please do not leave this place until I return to you. Let me bring my gift and set it before you.”

And he said, “I will stay until you return.”

“Please stay here,” Manoah told him, “and we will prepare a young goat for you.”

Then Manoah said to him, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your words come true? ”

On the fourth[fn] day they said to Samson's wife, “Persuade your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father's family to death. Did you invite us here to rob us? ”

They said to him, “We've come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines.”

Then Samson told them, “Swear to me that you yourselves won't kill me.”

So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me, where does your great strength come from? How could someone tie you up and make you helpless? ”

“How can you say, ‘I love you,' ” she told him, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and not told me what makes your strength so great! ”

While they were near Micah's home, they recognized the accent of the young Levite. So they went over to him and asked, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is keeping you here? ”

They told him, “Be quiet. Keep your mouth shut.[fn] Come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel? ”

“Hannah, why are you crying? ” her husband, Elkanah, would ask. “Why won't you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than ten sons? ”

He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“I didn't call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

“I am the seer,” Samuel answered.[fn] “Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today. When I send you off in the morning, I'll tell you everything that's in your heart.

They got up early, and just before dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up, and I'll send you on your way! ” Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside.

Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it out on Saul's head, kissed him, and said, “Hasn't the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance?[fn]

“They will ask how you are and give you two loaves[fn] of bread, which you will accept from them.

Samuel told Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you as king over his people Israel. Now, listen to the words of the LORD.

He warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came out of Egypt, go on and leave! Get away from the Amalekites, or I'll sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.

Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, haven't you become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel

For rebellion is like the sin of divination,

and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,

he has rejected you as king.

Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the LORD, the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected for myself a king from his sons.”

so Saul's servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.

“Today, the LORD will hand you over to me. Today, I'll strike you down, remove your head, and give the corpses[fn] of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the wild creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God,

Saul then ordered his servants, “Speak to David in private and tell him, ‘Look, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Therefore, you should become the king's son-in-law.' ”

so he told him, “My father, Saul, intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning and hide in a secret place and stay there.

Saul asked Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this? You sent my enemy away, and he has escaped! ”

She answered him, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you? ' ”

“If my father intends to bring evil on you, may the LORD punish Jonathan and do so severely if I do not tell you and send you away so you may leave safely. May the LORD be with you, just as he was with my father.

“But if I say this to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you! ' then go, for the LORD is sending you away.

David answered the priest Ahimelech, “The king gave me a mission, but he told me, ‘Don't let anyone know anything about the mission I'm sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.' I have stationed my young men at a certain place.

Saul asked him, “Why did you and Jesse's son conspire against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him, so he could rise up against me and wait in ambush, as is the case today.”

saying, “Don't be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I'll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.”

“You can see with your own eyes that the LORD handed you over to me today in the cave. Someone advised me to kill you, but I[fn][fn] took pity on you and said: I won't lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD's anointed.

“Now my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live ​— ​it is the LORD who kept you from participating in bloodshed and avenging yourself by your own hand—may your enemies and those who intend to harm my lord be like Nabal.

“Someone is pursuing you and intends to take your life. My lord's life is tucked safely in the place[fn] where the LORD your God protects the living, but he is flinging away your enemies' lives like stones from a sling.

Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today!

“Otherwise, as surely as the LORD God of Israel lives, who prevented me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, Nabal wouldn't have had any males[fn] left by morning light.”

When David's servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David sent us to bring you to him as a wife.”

“Now, may my lord the king please hear the words of his servant: If it is the LORD who has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. But if it is people, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD, for today they have banished me from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go and worship other gods.'

Saul responded, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David, I will never harm you again because today you considered my life precious. I have been a fool! I've committed a grave error.”

“The LORD will repay every man for his righteousness and his loyalty. I wasn't willing to lift my hand against the LORD's anointed, even though the LORD handed you over to me today.

David replied to Achish, “Good, you will find out what your servant can do.”

So Achish said to David, “Very well, I will appoint you as my permanent bodyguard.”

“Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? ” Samuel asked Saul.

“I'm in serious trouble,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me. He doesn't answer me anymore, either through the prophets or in dreams. So I've called on you to tell me what I should do.”

David then asked him, “Will you lead me to these raiders? ”

He said, “Swear to me by God that you won't kill me or turn me over to my master, and I will lead you to them.”

Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I ever look your brother Joab in the face? ”

“You know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to find out about your military activities[fn] and everything you're doing.”

“When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the LORD will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”

“So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.

“ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“ ‘The LORD declares to you: The LORD himself will make a house for you.

This is why you are great, Lord GOD. There is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms.

“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you will be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll come to help you.

“Stay here today also,” David said to Uriah, “and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.

He commanded the messenger, “When you've finished telling the king all the details of the battle ​— ​

Nathan replied to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from Saul.

Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you're sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare a meal in my presence so I can watch and eat from her hand.' ”

Then the king answered the woman, “I'm going to ask you something; don't conceal it from me! ”

“Let my lord the king speak,” the woman replied.

“Look,” Absalom explained to Joab, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? I'd be better off if I were still there.' So now, let me see the king. If I am guilty, let him kill me.”

“Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you[fn] kindness and faithfulness.”

Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your soldiers ​— ​those who saved your life as well as your sons, your wives, and your concubines ​— ​

Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David's men? ”

So Gad went to David, told him the choices, and asked him, “Do you want three[fn] years of famine to come on your land, to flee from your foes three months while they pursue you, or to have a plague in your land three days? Now, consider carefully[fn] what answer I should take back to the one who sent me.”

“Your Majesty, Araunah gives everything here to the king.” Then he said to the king, “May the LORD your God accept you.”

“Keep an eye on Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim who is with you. He uttered malicious curses against me the day I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, and I swore to him by the LORD, ‘I will never kill you with the sword.'

Then she said, “I have just one small request of you. Don't turn me down.”

“Go ahead and ask, mother,” the king replied, “for I won't turn you down.”

The king said to the priest Abiathar, “Go to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death today, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD in the presence of my father David and you suffered through all that my father suffered.”

So the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Didn't I make you swear by the LORD and warn you, saying, ‘On the day you leave and go anywhere else, know for sure that you will certainly die'? And you said to me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will obey.'

so that they may fear you

all the days they live on the land

you gave our ancestors.

may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place,

and do according to all the foreigner asks.

Then all peoples of earth will know your name,

to fear you as your people Israel do

and to know that this temple I have built

bears your name.

May your eyes be open to your servant's petition

and to the petition of your people Israel,

listening to them whenever they call to you.

“Blessed be the LORD your God! He delighted in you and put you on the throne of Israel, because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel. He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.”

So the king sought advice.

Then he made two golden calves, and he said to the people, “Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here are your gods[fn] who brought you up from the land of Egypt.”

“Because I raised you up from the dust and made you ruler over my people Israel, but you have walked in the ways of Jeroboam and have caused my people Israel to sin, angering me with their sins,

“You are to drink from the wadi. I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.”

“Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.”

“As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,' he made that kingdom or nation swear they had not found you.

But when I leave you, the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off to some place I don't know. Then when I go report to Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.

On the seventh time, he reported, “There's a cloud as small as a man's hand coming up from the sea.”

Then Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Get your chariot ready and go down so the rain doesn't stop you.' ”

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”

Then Ben-hadad said to him, “I restore to you the cities that my father took from your father, and you may set up marketplaces for yourself in Damascus, like my father set up in Samaria.”

Ahab responded, “On the basis of this treaty, I release you.” So he made a treaty with him and released him.

He told him, “Because you did not listen to the LORD, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.” When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him.

But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD? ”

So King Ahaziah sent a captain with his fifty men to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down! ' ”

Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” So a divine fire[fn] came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

and Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD is sending me on to Bethel.”

But Elisha replied, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; the LORD is sending me to Jericho.”

But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD is sending me to the Jordan.”

But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

Elisha responded, “By the life of the LORD of Armies, before whom I stand: If I did not have respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, I wouldn't look at you; I would not take notice of you.

So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your mantle under your belt, take my staff with you, and go. If you meet anyone, don't stop to greet him, and if a man greets you, don't answer him. Then place my staff on the boy's face.”

He answered, “If the LORD doesn't help you, where can I get help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress? ”

Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, do such a mighty deed? ”

Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”

“Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and say, ‘This is what the LORD says: “I anoint you king over Israel.” ' Open the door and escape. Don't wait.”

So Jehu got up and went into the house. The young prophet poured the oil on his head and said, “This is what the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD's people, Israel.

But they replied, “That's a lie! Tell us! ”

So Jehu said, “He talked to me about this and that and said, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' ”

“You have indeed defeated Edom, and you have become overconfident.[fn] Enjoy your glory and stay at home. Why should you stir up such trouble that you fall ​— ​you and Judah with you? ”

“Say this to King Hezekiah of Judah: ‘Don't let your God, on whom you rely, deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.

“This is the word the LORD has spoken against him:

Virgin Daughter Zion

despises you and scorns you;

Daughter Jerusalem

shakes her head behind your back.

“Because your raging against me

and your arrogance have reached my ears,

I will put my hook in your nose

and my bit in your mouth;

I will make you go back

the way you came.

“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the LORD's temple.

“‘Therefore, I will indeed gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place.' ”

Then they reported[fn] to the king.

“When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”

“So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.

“ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.

“ ‘Furthermore, I declare to you that the LORD himself will build a house for you.

“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you'll be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll help you.

“three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes with the sword of your enemy overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the LORD ​— ​a plague on the land, the angel of the LORD bringing destruction to the whole territory of Israel.' Now decide what answer I should take back to the one who sent me.”

“Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when he puts you in charge of Israel so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.

“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He won't leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of the LORD's house is finished.

God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart, and you have not requested riches, wealth, or glory, or for the life of those who hate you, and you have not even requested long life, but you have requested for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may judge my people over whom I have made you king,

Then King Hiram of Tyre wrote a letter[fn] and sent it to Solomon:

Because the LORD loves his people, he set you over them as king.

may you hear in heaven in your dwelling place,

and do all the foreigner asks you.

Then all the peoples of the earth will know your name,

to fear you as your people Israel do

and know that this temple I have built

bears your name.

“Blessed be the LORD your God! He delighted in you and put you on his throne as king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, he has set you over them as king to carry out justice and righteousness.”

At that time, the seer Hanani came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, “Because you depended on the king of Aram and have not depended on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from you.

But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD? ”

“the LORD is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction.

“But if you go with them, do it! Be strong for battle! But God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to make one stumble.”

While he was still speaking to him, the king asked, “Have we made you the king's counselor? Stop, why should you lose your life? ”

So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God intends to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my advice.”

“You have said, ‘Look, I[fn] have defeated Edom,' and you have become overconfident[fn] that you will get glory. Now stay at home. Why stir up such trouble so that you fall and Judah with you? ”

“because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before me, and you tore your clothes and wept before me, I myself have heard' ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration.

But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, king of Judah? I have not come against you today[fn] but I am fighting another dynasty.[fn] God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God who is with me; don't make him destroy you! ”

I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said:

Let's meet at the house of God,

inside the temple.

Let's shut the temple doors

because they're coming to kill you.

They're coming to kill you tonight![fn]

As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she gained favor with him. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

“But stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

“But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

He will rescue you from six calamities;

no harm will touch you in seven.

Will they not teach you and tell you

and speak from their understanding?

You will lie down with no one to frighten you,

and many will seek your favor.

For then you would count my steps

but would not take note of my sin.

Your own mouth condemns you, not I;

your own lips testify against you.

This is why my unsettling thoughts compel me to answer,

because I am upset![fn]

Does he correct you and take you to court

because of your piety?

Therefore snares surround you,

and sudden dread terrifies you,

the Almighty will be your gold

and your finest silver.

Fear of me should not terrify you;

no pressure from me should weigh you down.

But if you have something to say,[fn] answer me;

speak, for I would like to justify you.

Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you,

for there is still more to be said on God's behalf.

Indeed, he lured you from the jaws[fn] of distress

to a spacious and unconfined place.

Your table was spread with choice food.

Can your wealth[fn] or all your physical exertion

keep you from distress?

Get ready to answer me like a man;

when I question you, you will inform me.

Have the gates of death been revealed to you?

Have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

Get ready to answer me like a man;

when I question you, you will inform me.

You asked, “Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance? ”

Surely I spoke about things I did not understand,

things too wondrous for me to[fn] know.

I will declare the LORD's decree.

He said to me, “You are my Son;[fn]

today I have become your Father.

Punish them, God;

let them fall by their own schemes.

Drive them out because of their many crimes,

for they rebel against you.

Let the assembly of peoples gather around you;

take your seat on high over it.

Those who know your name trust in you

because you have not abandoned

those who seek you, LORD.

I love you, LORD, my strength.

LORD, give victory to the king!

May he[fn] answer us on the day that we call.

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him —

length of days forever and ever.

Your hand will capture all your enemies;

your right hand will seize those who hate you.

I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;

I will praise you in the assembly.

No one who waits for you

will be disgraced;

those who act treacherously without cause

will be disgraced.

May integrity and what is right

watch over me,

for I wait for you.

My foot stands on level ground;

I will bless the LORD in the assemblies.

I will exalt you, LORD,

because you have lifted me up

and have not allowed my enemies

to triumph over me.

LORD, do not let me be disgraced when I call on you.

Let the wicked be disgraced;

let them be quiet[fn][fn] in Sheol.

How great is your goodness,

which you have stored up for those who fear you.

In the presence of everyone[fn] you have acted

for those who take refuge in you.

I will instruct you and show you the way to go;

with my eye on you, I will give counsel.

I will praise you in the great assembly;

I will exalt you among many people.

Spread your faithful love over those who know you,

and your righteousness over the upright in heart.

Wait for the LORD and keep his way,

and he will exalt you to inherit the land.

You will watch when the wicked are destroyed.

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;

let those who love your salvation continually say,

“The LORD is great! ”

You are the most handsome of men;[fn]

grace flows from your lips.

Therefore God has blessed you forever.

in your splendor ride triumphantly

in the cause of truth, humility, and justice.

May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.

You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy

more than your companions.

“I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices

or for your burnt offerings,

which are continually before me.

“Call on me in a day of trouble;

I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”

“You have done these things, and I kept silent;

you thought I was just like you.

But I will rebuke you

and lay out the case before you.[fn]

Against you ​— ​you alone ​— ​I have sinned

and done this evil in your sight.

So you are right when you pass sentence;

you are blameless when you judge.

This is why God will bring you down forever.

He will take you, ripping you out of your tent;

he will uproot you from the land of the living.Selah

Cast your burden on the LORD,

and he will sustain you;

he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call.

This I know: God is for me.

You have given a signal flag to those who fear you,

so that they can flee before the archers.[fn]Selah

My lips will glorify you

because your faithful love is better than life.

Say to God, “How awe-inspiring are your works!

Your enemies will cringe before you

because of your great strength.

God, when you went out before your people,

when you marched through the desert,Selah

Do not let those who put their hope in you

be disgraced because of me,

Lord GOD of Armies;

do not let those who seek you

be humiliated because of me,

God of Israel.

because zeal for your house has consumed me,

and the insults of those who insult you

have fallen on me.

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;

let those who love your salvation

continually say, “God is great! ”

Your adversaries roared in the meeting place

where you met with us.[fn]

They set up their emblems as signs.

Do not forget the clamor of your adversaries,

the tumult of your opponents that goes up constantly.

The water saw you, God.

The water saw you; it trembled.

Even the depths shook.

Pour out your wrath on the nations

that don't acknowledge you,

on the kingdoms that don't call on your name,

Pay back sevenfold to our neighbors

the reproach they have hurled at you, Lord.

“You called out in distress, and I rescued you;

I answered you from the thundercloud.

I tested you at the Waters of Meribah.Selah

“I am the LORD your God,

who brought you up from the land of Egypt.

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

See how your enemies make an uproar;

those who hate you have acted arrogantly.[fn]

How happy are those who reside in your house,

who praise you continually.Selah

For you, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive,

abounding in faithful love to all who call on you.

God, arrogant people have attacked me;

a gang of ruthless men intends to kill me.

They do not let you guide them.[fn]

But I call to you for help, LORD;

in the morning my prayer meets you.

He will cover you with his feathers;

you will take refuge under his wings.

His faithfulness will be a protective shield.

For he will give his angels orders concerning you,

to protect you in all your ways.

Do not hide your face from me in my day of trouble.

Listen closely to me;

answer me quickly when I call.

He redeems your life from the Pit;

he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.

Your people will volunteer

on your day of battle.[fn]

In holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn,

the dew of your youth belongs to you.[fn]

It is not the dead who praise the LORD,

nor any of those descending into the silence of death.

Return to your rest, my soul,

for the LORD has been good to you.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks.

You are my God; I will exalt you.

I have sought you with all my heart;

don't let me wander from your commands.

I am a friend to all who fear you,

to those who keep your precepts.

Those who fear you will see me and rejoice,

for I put my hope in your word.

Let those who fear you,

those who know your decrees, turn to me.

I call to you; save me,

and I will keep your decrees.

Let me live, and I will praise you;

may your judgments help me.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

your Protector will not slumber.

The LORD protects you;

the LORD is a shelter right by your side.[fn]

Pray for the well-being[fn] of Jerusalem:

“May those who love you be secure;

May the LORD bless you from Zion,

so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life

Out of the depths I call to you, LORD!

I wait for the LORD; I wait

and put my hope in his word.

May the LORD,

Maker of heaven and earth,

bless you from Zion.

On the day I called, you answered me;

you increased strength within me.[fn]

LORD, don't I hate those who hate you,

and detest those who rebel against you?

I[fn] exalt you, my God the King,

and bless your name forever and ever.

All you have made will thank you, LORD;

the[fn] faithful will bless you.

He endows your territory with prosperity;[fn]

he satisfies you with the finest wheat.

My son, if sinners entice you,

don't be persuaded.

Discretion will watch over you,

and understanding will guard you.

It will rescue you from a forbidden woman,

from a wayward woman with her flattering talk,

Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

Tie them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

“Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;

love her, and she will guard you.

“Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

if you embrace her, she will honor you.

I am teaching you the way of wisdom;

I am guiding you on straight paths.

Don't lose sight of them;

keep them within your heart.

When you walk here and there, they will guide you;

when you lie down, they will watch over you;

when you wake up, they will talk to you.

They will protect you from an evil woman,[fn]

from the flattering tongue of a wayward woman.

She will keep you from a forbidden woman,

a wayward woman with her flattering talk.

“So I came out to meet you,

to search for you, and I've found you.

“Don't rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;

rebuke the wise, and he will love you.

For it is pleasing if you keep them within you

and if they are[fn] constantly on your lips.

in order to teach you true and reliable words,

so that you may give a dependable report[fn]

to those who sent you?

and put a knife to your throat

if you have a big[fn] appetite;

Listen to your father who gave you life,

and don't despise your mother when[fn] she is old.

Let your father and mother have joy,

and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.

realize that wisdom is the same for you.

If you find it, you will have a future,

and your hope will never fade.

for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here! ”

than to demote you in plain view of a noble.[fn]

otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,

and you'll never live it down.[fn]